U.S. patent application number 14/736815 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for connector device and electronic device with the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Uy-Hyeon JEONG, Chan-Keun SONG, Soon-Woong YANG.
Application Number | 20150380862 14/736815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53476787 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150380862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SONG; Chan-Keun ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
CONNECTOR DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH THE SAME
Abstract
An electronic device may include a connector body that
accommodates a connector terminal, and a sealing member provided in
the connector body to seal a gap between the connector body and the
electronic device.
Inventors: |
SONG; Chan-Keun; (Seoul,
KR) ; YANG; Soon-Woong; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ;
JEONG; Uy-Hyeon; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53476787 |
Appl. No.: |
14/736815 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 24/62 20130101;
H01R 12/7047 20130101; H01R 12/724 20130101; H01R 13/5202 20130101;
H01R 13/748 20130101; H01R 13/521 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/52 20060101
H01R013/52; H01R 13/74 20060101 H01R013/74 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0079885 |
Claims
1. A connector device for an electronic device comprising: a
connector body that accommodates a connector terminal; and a
sealing member provided in the connector body to seal a gap between
the connector body and the electronic device.
2. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the connector body is
provided with a coupling part in one piece with the connector
body.
3. The connector device of claim 2, wherein the coupling part is
formed to protrude each of opposite sides of the connector
body.
4. The connector device of claim 2, wherein the sealing member
includes: an attachment member that is coupled to one end rim of
the connector body to enclose and to be in close contact with the
one end rim; and a close contact member that protrudes along a
peripheral face of the attachment member to be in close contact
with the electronic device.
5. The connector device of claim 2, wherein the sealing member
includes an O-ring and a sealing face, the O-ring being seated on
the sealing face.
6. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the connector body is
formed through Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
7. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the connector body is
connected with a circuit board, wherein the connector body includes
a rim; and the connector device further includes a guide member on
the rim of the connector body, the guide member supporting the
connector body and sealing a gap between the connector body and the
circuit board.
8. The connector device of claim 7, wherein the guide member
includes at least one of rubber, silicon, sponge, and polyurethane
foam.
9. An electronic device with a connector device, the electronic
device comprising: a case; an opening provided in the case and
formed as a single part; a body part including a connector body; a
sealing member that seals a gap between the body part and the
opening; and a connector terminal being mounted on a body part
inside the case, wherein the connector terminal is exposed
outwardly through the opening, and is configured to connect to an
external device.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the body part
includes a coupling part in one piece with the body part, and the
case includes a fastening part that fastens the coupling part.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the coupling part is
formed to protrude each of opposite sides of the connector
body.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the coupling part is
formed as a coupling hole, the fastening part is formed as a boss
which is provided with a fastening hole, and a fastening member
penetrates through the coupling hole and the fastening hole to be
screwed thereto.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the coupling part is
formed as a seating plate, the fastening part is provided as a
protrusion plate that protrudes within the case to form a space
within the case, and the seating plate is inserted into and fixed
to the space.
14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the case includes a
main circuit board, and the body part is mounted on the main
circuit board.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the main circuit
board includes a cutout portion formed to correspond to a position
of the coupling part, and the fastening part fixes the body part to
the case through the cutout portion.
16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein a first circuit is
provided within the case, the body part is mounted on a second
circuit board, and the second circuit board is electrically
connected with the main circuit board.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the second circuit
board includes a cutout portion formed to correspond to a position
of the coupling part, and the fastening part fixes the body part to
the case through the cutout portion.
18. The electronic device of claim 14, further comprising: a guide
member provided in the case between the circuit board and the body
part in a peripheral portion of the body part to support the body
part, and to seal a gap between the case and the circuit board.
19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the guide member
includes at least one of rubber, silicone, sponge, and polyurethane
foam.
20. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the case is provided
with a seating recess therein to be connected with the opening, the
seating recess including an undercut in which the body part is
seated.
21. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the sealing member
includes: an attachment member that is coupled to one end rim of
the connector body to enclose and to be in close contact with the
one end rim; and a close contact member that protrudes along a
peripheral face of the attachment member to be in close contact
with the electronic device.
22. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the sealing member
includes an O-ring and a sealing face, the O-ring being seated on
the sealing face.
23. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the connector body is
formed through Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to Korean Application Serial No. 10-2014-0079885,
which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun.
27, 2014, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to an electronic
device having a connector device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An electronic device refers to a portable device that allows
a user to access various digital content. The electronic device may
include a portable terminal that enables transmission/reception to
a device that allows the user to access various contents, such as
an MP3 player, a PMP, and/or a wearable device, such as a smart
watch or a Head Mounted Device (HMD), such as an eyeglass-type
monitor.
[0006] Due to their portability, the above-mentioned electronic
devices have been widely distributed to users and are used in
various use environments regardless of time and place. In
particular, recently, according to various leisure activities, the
electronic devices are frequently exposed to various external
environments. For example, the electronic devices are frequently
placed in users' pockets or the like. Frequently, users carry the
electronic devices even when they are in areas or environments that
may be damaging to electronic devices, such as wet or hot
environments (e.g., a health spa, a sauna, a washroom, or a
lavatory). Users frequently carry their electronic devices when
engaging in various outdoor activities that may be damaging to
electronic equipment. For example, In the summer, users frequently
carry the electronic devices even while enjoying outdoor
activities, such as swimming or playing in the water. Also for
example, in the winter, users frequently carry the electronic
devices even while enjoying outdoor activities such as snowboarding
or skiing.
SUMMARY
[0007] An electronic device may be provided with modules for
enjoying various contents and also provided with connection devices
so that the electronic device is connected with an external device
so as to pair data with the external device, deliver a sound to the
external device, or to receive a power from the external device,
for example.
[0008] Among the connection devices, a connector, such as a USB,
may be provided so that the electronic device can be connected with
a separate external device. In general, such a connector device may
be manufactured through SUS pressing. Conventionally, when a
housing of the connector device manufactured through the SUS
pressing, a hole is often formed due to an inner latch structure of
an SUS press. The hole provides an access point through which
foreign matter may easily infiltrate via the connector device. In
addition, since the connector device is configured to be connected
with the outside through a connector hole formed in the electronic
device, a gap is formed between the connector device and the
electronic device so that foreign matter may easily infiltrate
through the gap.
[0009] In order to prevent the infiltration of foreign matter
through the connector device and to implement dustproofing
according to shaking or dropping of the electronic device, the
electronic device may include a reinforcing device, such as a cover
or a shield, that covers the connector device, in addition to the
connector device.
[0010] A separate insert mold may be attached to the connector
device in order to isolate the connector device from a case of the
electronic device in which the connector device is inserted. When
the separate insert mold is mounted on the connector device, a
structure for waterproofing or dustproofing of the connector device
may be implemented only when an additional attachment process is
performed between the connector device and the insert mold.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a
connector device may inhibit or prevent infiltration of foreign
matter to the inside of the connector device through, for example,
the latch structure (e.g., hole) for installing the connector
device. According to aspects of the present disclosure, an
electronic device including a connector device may be provided to
facilitate dustproofing, as well as, improved resistance to damage
from drops or impacts according to dropping or an impact, and an
electronic device may include the connector device.
[0012] In aspects of the present disclosure, a connector device may
inhibit or prevent infiltration of foreign matter through a gap
occurring between the connection device and a case of an electronic
device when the connector device is mounted inside the case of the
electronic device by sealing the gap between the connection device
and the case, and an electronic device may include the connector
device.
[0013] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
connector device may maintain rigidity despite frequent mounting of
an external module without additionally assembling a structure,
such as a cover or a shield can, to the connector device, and an
electronic device including the connector device.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
connector device may include: a connector body that accommodates a
connector terminal; and a sealing member provided in the connector
body to seal a gap between the connector body and an electronic
device.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided with an electronic device provided with a
connector device. The electronic device may include: a case of the
electronic device; an opening provided in the case and formed as a
single part; a body part, on which the connector terminal is
mounted, the connector terminal being mounted inside the case,
exposed outwardly through the opening, and connected with an
external device; and a sealing member that seals a gap between the
body part and the opening.
[0016] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
in a connector device provided with a variable detection module and
an electronic device including the connector device, a connector
body that accommodates a connector terminal is formed through an
MIM method. Thus, a gap, such as a hole, connected to the outside
of a connector housing through an existing latch structure or the
like, does not occur on the surface of the connector body, and
thus, infiltration of foreign mater into the connector device can
be prevented.
[0017] In addition, the body part of the connector device, which
may be formed through the MIM method, may prevent or inhibit
fracturing of the connector device when the connector is subjected
to external impact or dropped, and can implement dustproofing even
if a structure, such as a separate cover or a shield, is not
additionally assembled around the body part. Further, the body part
may maintain its rigidity even if an external module or device is
frequently mounted.
[0018] When the connector device is mounted inside the case of the
electronic device, the sealing member may seal the gap generated
between the connection device and the case so that infiltration of
foreign matter through the gap between the connection device and
the case can be inhibited or prevented.
[0019] The guide member may be provided around the periphery of the
body part. Thus, when the body part is mounted on the circuit
board, the body part may be suppressed from moving, and may be
prevented from being released, which may also facilitate assembly
of the electronic device.
[0020] The circuit board may be cut out at a position corresponding
to the position of the coupling part of the body part. Thus, when
the body part is mounted on the circuit board, the circuit board
may allow a fastening thickness to be reduced when the mounted body
part is coupled to the case, and as a result, the electronic device
can be slimmed.
[0021] The body part may be directly connected to a main circuit
board provided inside the case. Otherwise, the circuit board may be
provided in the case such that the circuit board is divided into
first and second circuit boards, and the first and second circuit
boards are electrically connected with each other through a
separate connector. In particular, when the second circuit board,
on which the body part is mounted, is provided to be electrically
connected with the first circuit board after the circuit boards are
provided to be separated from each other, fracturing of the body
part or fracturing between the body part and the circuit boards can
be prevented when the body part is assembled to the inside of the
case, thereby facilitating assembly of the electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be more apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating an electronic device
including a connector device according to one aspect among various
aspects of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in an
electronic device including the connector device;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a connector device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an
electronic device including the connector device shown with parts
separated;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a sealing
member in an electronic device including a connector device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating another embodiment of a
sealing member in an electronic device including a connector device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates embodiment showing a sealing member being
mounted on a connector body in an electronic device including a
connector device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method of mounting a
sealing member on a connector body in an electronic device
including a connector device according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a connector
device, a sealing member, and a circuit board in an assembled state
in an electronic device including a connector device according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where a guide member
is provided along a coupling line of a connector body and a circuit
board in an electronic device including a connector device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where
a guide member is provided along a coupling line of a connector
body and a circuit board in an electronic device including a
connector device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a case formed with an opening
in an electronic device including a connector device according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are views illustrating a state in
which a connector body is coupled to a case in an electronic device
including a connector device according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state in which a connector
device is fastened to an electronic device in an electronic device
including a connector device according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0036] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are views illustrating another
embodiment of a fastening part in an electronic device including a
connector device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present
disclosure may have various embodiments, and modifications and
changes may be made therein. Therefore, the present disclosure will
be described in detail with reference to particular embodiments
shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be
understood that there is no intent to limit various embodiments of
the present disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but
the present disclosure should be construed to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the various embodiments of disclosure. In the
description of the drawings, identical or similar reference
numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements.
[0038] Hereinafter, the terms "include" or "may include", which may
be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure, refer to
the presence of disclosed functions, operations or elements, and do
not restrict the addition of one or more functions, operations or
elements. Further, as used in various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the terms "include", "have", and their conjugates are
intended merely to denote a certain feature, numeral, step,
operation, element, component, or a combination thereof, and should
not be construed to initially exclude the existence of or a
possibility of addition of one or more other features, numerals,
steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations
thereof.
[0039] The term "or" in various embodiments of the disclosure means
the inclusion of at least one or all of the disclosed elements. For
example, the expression "A or B" may include A, may include B, or
may include both A and B.
[0040] Expressions such as "first," "second," or the like used in
various embodiments of the present disclosure may modify various
component elements in the various embodiments but may not limit
corresponding component elements. For example, the above
expressions do not limit the sequence and/or importance of the
elements. The expressions may be used to distinguish a component
element from another component element. For example, a first user
device and a second user device indicate different user devices
although both of them are user devices. For example, a first
constituent element may be termed a second constituent element, and
likewise a second constituent element may also be termed a first
constituent element without departing from the scope of various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0041] It should be noted that if it is described that one
component element is "coupled" or "connected" to another component
element, the first component element may be directly coupled or
connected to the second component or a third component element may
be "coupled" or "connected" between the first and second component
elements. Conversely, when one component element is "directly
coupled" or "directly connected" to another component element, it
may be construed that a third component element does not exist
between the first component element and the second component
element.
[0042] The terms as used in various embodiments of the present
disclosure are merely for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments and are not intended to limit the various embodiments
of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
[0043] Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including
technical terms and scientific terms, have the same meaning as
commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to
which various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain. Such
terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be
interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meanings
in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have
ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0044] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may be a device having a function that is
provided through various colors emitted depending on the states of
the electronic device or a function of sensing a gesture or
bio-signal. For example, the electronic device may include at least
one of a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile
phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC,
a netbook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable
multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a mobile medical device, a
camera, a wearable device (e.g., a head-mounted-device (HMD) such
as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet,
an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory (e.g., a
smartphone accessory (e.g., a heart monitor, a credit card reader,
etc.) that is controlled by the smartphone), an electronic tattoo,
or a smart watch).
[0045] According to some embodiments, the electronic device may be
a smart home appliance having a function serviced by light that
emits various colors depending on the states of the electronic
device or a function of sensing a gesture or bio-signal. The smart
home appliance as an example of the electronic device may include
at least one of, for example, a television, a Digital Video Disk
(DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a
vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an
air cleaner, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync.TM.,
Apple TV.TM., or Google TV.TM.), a game console, an electronic
dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic
picture frame.
[0046] According to some embodiments, the electronic device may
include at least one of various medical appliances (e.g., magnetic
resonance angiography (MRA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonic machines), navigation
equipment, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, an event
data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), automotive
infotainment device, electronic equipment for ships (e.g., ship
navigation equipment and a gyrocompass), avionics, security
equipment, a vehicle head unit, an industrial or home robot, an
automatic teller machine (ATM) of a banking system, and a point of
sales (POS) of a shop.
[0047] According to some embodiments, the electronic device may
include at least one of a part of furniture or a
building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature
receiving device, a projector, and various kinds of measuring
instruments (e.g., a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter,
and a radio wave meter), each of which has a function that is
provided through various colors emitted depending on the states of
the electronic device or a function of sensing a gesture or
bio-signal. The electronic device according to various embodiments
of the present disclosure may be a combination of one or more of
the aforementioned various devices. Further, the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be a
flexible device. Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that the electronic device according to various embodiments
of the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned
devices.
[0048] Hereinafter, an electronic device according to the various
embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. In various embodiments, the term "user" may indicate a
person using an electronic device or a device (e.g. an artificial
intelligence electronic device) using an electronic device.
[0049] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating an electronic device
including a connector device according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure may be equipped with a
connector device 200 which is capable of being connected to an
external device (not illustrated). Specifically, the electronic
device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may
include a case 110, an opening 120 (as shown, for example, in FIGS.
4-5, 10-11, 12A-B), a connector device 200, and a sealing member
300 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 3, 6).
[0051] The connector device 200 may be equipped within the
electronic device 100, more specifically within the case 110, and
may be provided to be connected to the outside of the case 110. An
external device may be connected to the connector device 200
through the case 110.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cross section of a connector
device according to one embodiment among various embodiments of the
present disclosure in an electronic device including the connector
device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a connector
device of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the
present shown with a sealing member separated from the connector
device.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a connector device 200 according
to one embodiment among various embodiments of the present
disclosure may include a body part 210 (hereinafter, referred to as
a "connector body") and a connector device 220. The connector body
210 may be equipped with the connector device 220 which is
electrically connected with an external device (not
illustrated).
[0054] The connector body 210 according to one embodiment among
various embodiments of the present disclosure may be formed in one
piece through Metal Injection Molding ("MIM"). Since the connector
body 210 may be formed through the MIM, the connector body 210 may
be formed without a hole or a gap on a surface of the connector
body 210. One connector terminal 220 may be accommodated in an
inner space of the connector body 210, or two connector devices 220
having different shapes may be accommodated in the inner space of
the connector body 210. As described above, as the connector body
210 may be manufactured through the MIM, the connector body 210 may
be provided as one piece.
[0055] Since the connector body 210 may be formed through the MIM,
the connector device 220 may be accommodated by one connector body
210, fastened to the case 110, and reinforced even if the external
device is frequently detached/attached. Thus, in the prior art, a
stacking thickness increases due to a housing, in which a connector
terminal is accommodated, and a structure for isolation from a
case, such as a mold. Whereas, the connector device 200 according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of
implementing all the functions described above with one connector
body 210, the connector device 200 may be implemented to be slimmed
in the entire thickness, and an electronic device 100 equipped with
the connector device 200 can also be implemented to be slimed in
the entire thickness. In addition, during the MIM, the shape or
thickness of the connector body 210 may be adjusted so that a
predetermined level of rigidity can be implemented only with the
connector body 210. The term "one piece" used herein may also be
referred to as an integral type and may mean one body or one mass,
of which the portions are not separated from each other.
[0056] Although it is described that the connector body 210
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is molded as
one piece by way of an example, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. For example, the connector body 210 may be
manufactured to have a shape or a structure which is equipped with
a connector terminal 220 therein and covered without a gap on the
surface thereof through various methods, such as casting, welding,
lathe processing, die casting, and mold processing. An end rim of
the connector body 210 may be formed to be stepped. When the end of
the connector body 210 is formed to be stepped, a sealing space of
a sealing member 300 to be described later may be formed. In
addition, when the sealing member 300 is mounted on the connector
body 210, it may be possible to suppress the thickness of the
peripheral portion of the connector body from increasing by the
sealing member 300.
[0057] However, although depicted in one embodiment of the present
disclosure that one end of the connector body 210 is stepped so as
to form a space in which the sealing member 300 is mounted, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the end shape
of the connector body 210 may be freely changed according to, for
example, the shape of a gap between the connector body 210 and the
opening 120. On the outer face of the connector body 210,
specifically on the outer face of connector body 210, a coupling
part 213 may be formed to protrude as one piece with the connector
body 210 to be coupled with the case 110. According to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, coupling parts 213 may
protrude on opposite side faces in a direction horizontal to one
face of connector body 210. The coupling part 213 may be provided
with the case 110 to be described below in two different shapes
according to the shape of fastening parts 140. The details of the
coupling part 213 will be described together with the fastening
parts 140 when the fastening parts 140 are described.
[0058] As described above, the sealing member (sealing part) 300
may be provided around one end of the connector body 210,
specifically around a sealing face 210a. The sealing member 300 may
seal a gap generated between the one end of the connector body 210
to be described below and the opening 120. In the embodiments of
the present disclosure, sealing members 300 according to two
embodiments may be described.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a first embodiment of a
sealing member in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment among various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment among
various embodiments of the present disclosure, a sealing member 300
may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicon, and
may include an attachment member 310, and a close contact member
320 (see also FIG. 3). The attachment member 310 is a component
which is in close contact with a sealing face 210a while enclosing
the sealing face 210a. The close contact member 320 is a component
protruding along a surface of the attachment member 310 and is
provided to be in close contact with the inner face of the opening
120. When one end of the connector body 210 is inserted into the
opening 120, the close contact member 320 may be elastically in
close contact with the inner face of the opening 120 to be capable
of sealing a gap between the opening 120 and the connector body
210.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a second embodiment of a
sealing member in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6
illustrates one embodiment that mounts a sealing member on a
connector body in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7
illustrates another embodiment that mounts a sealing member on a
connector body in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 5, according to another embodiment among
various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sealing member
300 may be formed as an O-ring 300a of an elastic material. The
O-ring 300a may be tensioned by a separate jig and then seated on
the sealing face 210a. When the end of the connector body 210 is
seated in the opening 120, the O-ring 300a elastically comes in
close contact between the sealing face 210a and the opening 120 to
seal a gap.
[0063] As described above, a separate jig may be used in order to
fasten the O-ring 300a to the sealing face 210a. In the present
disclosure, two embodiments for fastening the O-ring to the sealing
face may be described.
[0064] First, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the O-ring 300a may be
mounted on the sealing face 210a using an auxiliary jig 400, which
may have a tapered shape in which its size generally increases from
one end toward the other end. The other end of the auxiliary jig
400 may have a shape which is the same as that of the sealing face
210a. Thus, when the O-ring 300a is fitted on the end of the
auxiliary jig 400 which has the smallest diameter, and then the
O-ring 300a is moved to the other end of the auxiliary jig 400, the
size of the O-ring 300a is increased elastically, and tensioned to
a size to be seated on the sealing face 210a at the other end of
the auxiliary jig 400. When the O-ring 300a is moved in a state
where the other end of the auxiliary jig 400 is abutted against the
sealing face 210a, the O-ring 300a may be moved from the other end
of the auxiliary jig 400 to the sealing face 210a to be mounted on
the sealing face 210a.
[0065] On the contrary, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the O-ring 300a
may be mounted on the sealing face 210a through an ejector pin 500.
That is, when the ejector pin 500 is driven after the O-ring 300a
is fitted on the ejector pin 500, the size of the O-ring 300a is
elastically tensioned. When one end of the connector body 210 is
inserted into the O-ring 300a which is tensioned such that the
sealing face 210a can be inserted into the O-ring 300a, the O-ring
300a may be seated on and fastened to the sealing face 210a.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a connector
device, a sealing member, and a circuit board in an assembled state
in an electronic device including a connector device according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, one face of the connector body 210
provided as described above may be mounted to be electrically
connected to the circuit board 130 mounted within the case 110 of
the electronic device 100.
[0068] According to one embodiment among various embodiments of the
present disclosure, the circuit board, to which the body part is
electrically connected, may have two embodiments.
[0069] In one embodiment, the circuit board 130 may be a main
circuit board mounted within the case 110. That is, the case 110
may be provided with one main circuit board on which various
modules are mounted, and the connector body 210 may be directly
mounted on the main circuit board 130. When the connector body 210
is directly mounted on the main circuit board 130, the number of
assembly processes may be reduced.
[0070] In another embodiment, a first circuit board 190 may be
provided within the case 110, the connector body 210 may be mounted
on a separate circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as a "second
circuit board 130"), and then, the second circuit board 130 may be
electrically connected with the first circuit board 190 (see also
FIG. 1). In this case, the second circuit board 130 may be
electrically connected to the first circuit board 190 in a
connector-to-connector (CON TO CON) type or in a ZIP type.
[0071] In the case of a method in which the connector body 210 is
provided on the second circuit board 130 to be assembled to the
first circuit board 190, when the connector body 210 is seated in
the seating recess 111 of the case 110 to be described below (see
FIG. 12a), the connector body 210 can be easily assembled. That is,
the connector body 210, to which the second circuit board 130 is
coupled, is inserted into the seating recess 111, and then the
second circuit board 130 is electrically connected with the first
circuit board 190 in the CON TO CON type or in the ZIP type. When
the connector body 210 is provided to be connected with the first
circuit board 190 through the second circuit board 130, fracturing
of the connector device 100, fracturing of the main circuit board
190 or the auxiliary circuit board 130, or fracturing between the
connector body 210 and the first circuit board 190 or the second
circuit board 130, which may be caused at the time of assembly, may
be prevented and the assembly can be facilitated. In addition, only
the connector body 210 equipped with the second circuit board 130
may be separately configured so that the coupling reliability or
reliability for electrical connection between the connector body
210 and the second circuit board 130 can be improved.
[0072] The circuit board 130, on which the connector body 210 is
mounted as described above (hereinafter, the second circuit board
or the main circuit board to which the connector body is coupled
will be generally called a "circuit board") may be formed with
cutout portions 131 at the positions corresponding to the coupling
parts 213. When the circuit board 130 is stacked and mounted on one
face of the connector body 210, the circuit board 130 is not
stacked on the coupling part 213. Thus, a fastening height may be
offset between the coupling part 213 and the fastening part 140 by
the height of the circuit board 130 so that the electronic device
100 may be implemented to be slimmed in the entire thickness.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where a guide member
is provided along a coupling line of a connector body and a circuit
board in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a
cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a guide member is
provided along a coupling line of a connector body and a circuit
board in an electronic device including a connector device
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in the state where the
connector body 210 is coupled to the circuit board 130, a guide
member 150 may be provided around the connector body 210 along the
coupling line between the connector body 210 and the circuit board
130. Although not illustrated, the guide member 150 may be a
component that protrudes toward the circuit board 130 side on the
one face of the case 110 to be formed to the coupling line. In
addition, the guide member 150 may be a separate component which is
mounted on the one face of the case 110 to protrude toward the
circuit board 130 side and to be formed to the coupling line. Since
the guide member 150 is formed to protrude from the case 110 to the
coupling line of the circuit board 130, a gap generated between the
connector body 210 and the circuit board 130 can be sealed, the
movement of the connector body 210 in a plane direction on the
surface of the circuit board 130 can be limited, and the connector
body 210 can be supported. In addition, when the guide member 150
is formed to protrude around the connector body 210, the connector
body 210 may be seated within the guide member 150, so that the
above-described movement can be prevented, and since external
impact can be transferred to the guide member 150 first to be
absorbed by the guide member 150, fracturing of the connector
device 100 can be prevented and the assemblability can be
improved.
[0075] In addition, although not illustrated, an additional sealing
member may be provided on the guide member 150 so that infiltration
of foreign matter to the outside of the guide member 150 can be
limited even when the foreign matter is infiltrated through the
connector device 100.
[0076] According to one embodiment among various embodiments of the
present disclosure, the guide member 150 may include at least one
of rubber, silicon, sponge, and polyurethane foam, such as
Poron.
[0077] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a case formed with an opening
in an electronic device including a connector device according to
one embodiment among various embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are views illustrating a state in which a
connector body is coupled to a case in an electronic device
including a connector device according to one embodiment among
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A and 12B, the case 110 may
be a component that forms the exterior face of the electronic
device 100, and may be formed as any one of a front case 110 and a
rear case 110 of the electronic device 100. The case 110 may be
freely changed in terms of, for example, type, configuration, and
structure depending on, for example, the kind of the electronic
device 100. For example, a bar-type electronic device 100 may
include the front and rear cases 110 as described above, and the
case 110 according to one embodiment may be formed as any one of
the front and rear cases. The case 110 according to one of the
present disclosure may be described assuming that it is a rear case
110, as an example. Various modules may be equipped within the case
110, and, for example, a circuit board 130, on which the modules
are mounted to be electrically connected, and a bracket (not
illustrated), on which a display device is mounted to be supported,
may be provided inside the case 110. In addition, the case 110 may
be formed with an opening 120 so as to allow that the connector
device 200 provided within the case 110 to be connected with an
external device.
[0079] The opening 120 may be formed through the case 110 so that
the external device can be connected to the connector device 200
mounted inside the case 110. In particular, according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, a sealing member 300 to be
described later may be mounted in the opening 120 to be in close
contact with the inner peripheral face of the opening 120. The
opening 120 may be formed at a predetermined position around the
case 110. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening
120 may be formed in the periphery of the bottom face of the case
110, for example.
[0080] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure, the opening 120 may be provided as a single part which
does not have parting faces divided along the periphery of the case
110. That is, for example, one opening 120 may be formed by
coupling a first part, in which one half opening is formed, and a
second part, in which another half opening is formed to be opposite
to the half opening of the first part. However, in such a case,
assembly faces, in which the half openings are engaged, exist in
the assembled opening 120. When the assembly faces are generated in
the opening 120 as described above, foreign matter may be
infiltrated through a gap between the assembly faces. Thus,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening
120 may be formed as a single part in the periphery of the case 110
so that the assembly faces are not generated. Accordingly, the
opening 120 may be formed in the shape of a closed curve-shaped
hole without assembly faces therein.
[0081] A seating recess 111 may be provided inside the case 110.
The seating recess 111 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 12B) is
positioned adjacent to the opening 120, and the above-mentioned
connector body 210 is mounted in the seating recess. An undercut
111a (as shown, for example, in FIG. 12B) may be formed in the
seating recess 111. Due to the undercut 111a formed in the seating
recess 111, the connector body 210 mounted in the seating recess
111 may be mounted in the opening 120 in a press-fit manner. That
is, when the connector body 210 is introduced into the seating
recess 111 in a slanting state, and the connector body 210 laid in
the seating recess 111 is pushed to the opening 120 side, one face
of the connector body 210 may be fitted and seated in the opening
120. Then, the one face of the connector body 210 may be pushed in
the seating recess 111 by a length corresponding to the undercut
111a to be seated in the seating recess 111.
[0082] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state in which a connector
device is fastened to an electronic device in an electronic device
including a connector device according to one embodiment among
various embodiments of the present disclosure, connector
device.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 13, a fastening part 140, to which the
connector body 210 is coupled, may be formed within the case
110.
[0084] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
two embodiments may be considered in terms of the fastening part
140. According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, the
fastening part 140 may be provided as a boss 141 which is in turn
formed with fastening holes 142 so that fastening members 170 (see
also FIG. 1) can be fastened by penetrating through the connector
body 210. In this case, the above-described coupling parts 213 may
be formed as coupling plates 213a and coupling holes 213b. The
coupling plates 213a may integrally protrude from the connector
body 210 to face the boss 141, and the coupling holes 213b may be
connected with the fastening holes 142. The boss 141 may be
provided to be adjacent to the seating recess 111 to protrude
toward the connector body 210 from the inner face of the case 110.
Thus, when the connector body 210 is laid in the seating recess
111, the coupling parts 213 of the connector body 210, more
specifically, the coupling plates 213a may be engaged in the state
where they are supported on the boss 141, and the coupling holes
213b and the fastening holes 142 may be connected with each other.
In the state where the connector body 210 is assembled to the case
110 as described above, when the fastening members 170 are fastened
to the fastening holes 142 through the coupling holes 213b, the
connector body 210 is fixed to the case 110.
[0085] FIGS. 14A and 14B are views illustrating another embodiment
of a fastening part in an electronic device including a connector
device according to one embodiment among various embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, according to a second
embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening parts 140 may
be provided as a protrusion plate 145 that is positioned adjacent
to the periphery of the opening 120 and protrudes to a coupling
part 213 side of the connector body 210 within the case 110. In
this case, the coupling part 213 may be formed as a simple seating
plate 213c which does not require a configuration, such as a
separate hole formed in the connector body 210. A space may be
formed between an inner face of the case 110 and the protrusion
plate 145. Accordingly, when the connector body 210 is seated in
the seating recess 111, the coupling part 213, more specifically,
the seating plate 213c may be inserted into the space formed
between the protrusion plate 145 and the one face of the case 110
and sandwiched therebetween to be fixed. Accordingly, upon being
seated in the seating recess 111, the connector body 210 may be
engaged with and fixed by the periphery of the seating recess 111
to be prevented from moving leftward and rightward. The connector
body 210 may also fixed by the protrusion plate 145 to be prevented
from moving in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction).
Further, as described below, the connector body 210 may be
suppressed from moving horizontally leftward and rightward and
vertically upward and downward by the guide member 150.
[0087] An assembly procedure of the electronic device 100 provided
with the connector device 200 as described above will be described.
A connector terminal is accommodated in the connector body 210
through metal injection molding and the sealing member 300 may be
coupled to the connector body 210 to be in close contact with the
sealing face 210a in which, for example, a reinforcement structure
and a coupling structure are implemented in the connector body 210
as one piece. The connector body 210 may be directly mounted on the
circuit board 130 and in the case 110 without assembling a separate
shield can or the like. One face of the connector body 210 provided
with the sealing member 300 may be mounted on the circuit board
130. At this time, the coupling parts 213 of the connector body 210
may be positioned in the cutout portions 131 of the circuit board
130. Since the cutout portions 131 are provided, the guide member
150 may be mounted along the coupling line between the circuit
board 130 and the connector body 210. As a result, the connector
body 210 mounted on the circuit board 130 may be sealed in the
coupling line by the guide member 150, and the movements of the
connector body 210 on the circuit board 130 may be prevented.
[0088] The other face of the connector body 210 is inserted into
the seating recess 111 of the case 110, and when the connector body
210 inserted into the seating recess 111 is pushed to the opening
120 side, the sealing member 300 may be coupled to be in close
contact with the inner face of the opening 120. Thus, the gap
between the connector body 210 and the opening 120 can be sealed to
block the infiltration of foreign matter.
[0089] When the other face of the connector body 120 is seated in
the seating recess 111 as one end of the connector body 210 is
inserted into the opening 120, the coupling parts 213 may face the
fastening parts 140. In the case of the fastening parts 140 and the
coupling parts 213 according to the first embodiment among various
embodiments of the present disclosure, the boss 141 and the
protrusion plate 145 face each other to be supported, and the
fastening holes 142 and the coupling holes 213b are connected with
each other. When the fastening screws are fastened to the fastening
holes 142 through the coupling holes 213b, the connector body 210
mounted on the circuit board 130 can be coupled to the case 110 to
be fixed by the seating recess 111, the fastening part 140, and the
coupling parts 213. In addition, in the case of the fastening part
140 and the coupling parts 213 according to the second embodiment
among various embodiments of the present disclosure, when the
connector body 210 is mounted in the seating recess 111, the
connector body 210 can be fixed to be suppressed from moving in the
horizontal direction (in the X and Y axis directions) by being
inserted into the seating recess 111, and can be fixed to be
suppressed from moving in the Z-axis direction as the seating plate
213c is inserted into the inner space of the protrusion plate
145.
[0090] As described above, since the gap between the opening 120
and the connector body 210 is sealed by the sealing member 300, the
infiltration of foreign matter into the space between the connector
body 210 and the opening 120 can be prevented primarily.
[0091] In addition, since the guide member 150 is further provided
between the circuit board 130 and the connector body 210, the
infiltration of foreign matter can be sealed again by the guide
member 150 even if the foreign matter is infiltrated through the
gap between the opening 120 and the connector body 210.
[0092] Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in
this specification and the drawings are merely specific examples
presented in order to easily describe technical details of the
present disclosure and to help the understanding of the present
disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure. Therefore, it should be construed that, in addition to
the embodiments disclosed herein, all modifications and changes or
modified and changed forms derived from the technical idea of
various embodiments of the present disclosure fall within the scope
of the present disclosure.
* * * * *